Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Entrusting ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

DISCLAIMER: for the hundredth time, I do not own bleach, just the bleaching liquid that I use for my laundry.

 

 

A/N

Hello people!

Don't be mad at me, please????????

Anyway, looks like Byakuya's plans are slowly enfolding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4

 

 

Ichigo looked at Rukia as she unconsciously rubbed her hands at her dark blue pencil skirt for the nth time since stepping inside the lavish and sophisticated Seretei Corp building. He could sense how anxious and nervous she was. All through out the offices that they have passed, people have been respectfully recognizing her and greeting her a good morning but it looks like Rukia couldn't even hear them. She just walked straight on, not even bothering to acknowledge them.

 

Rukia counted to ten as she ordered her self to breathe. She could do this, she told herself again and again. She was glad that her brother's secretary was so afraid of her brother and her. She doesn't want her hovering around and announcing them to Byakuya. She wanted to do this on her own, after she had convinced those butterflies to stop playing around inside her stomach.

 

She raised her hand to knock on the door, but stopped when she was a mere inch away. She twirled around and smiled sweetly at Ichigo. “Maybe you should, ah, stay here” her smile was bright and nice, too bright and too nice in fact, her eyes imploring.

 

Ichigo knew what she was up to and just shook his head. He knew how terrifying this meeting is to Rukia. The last time that they both appeared before her brother inside the very same room that they were about to go in, was the time they promised not to see each other again.

 

It was a terrible time. Made more horrid with the scene her brother brought on. He could still hear her crying while imploring her brother to stop. While he held her close, afraid to let go in fear that he might do bodily harm to Byakuya the moment his hands were free.

 

And even after all those arguments and curses he aimed at the man, in the end, he went out of his office, alone, angry and enraged.

 

He looked into her eyes and shook his head. “No” he said gravely. He cupped her cheek with his hand and gently traced his thumb along its smooth contours. He could see the sense of desperation in her violet orbs and just shook his head again “We are going to do this together. And this time no Kuchiki will ever deter me. Nothing any of the two of you say or do will make me leave you ever again.” He ground out the last two words a bit forcefully, his eyes never leaving hers, leaving no doubt in her mind that he means it, every single word that he said.

 

“But your sisters….”

 

“Are old enough and intelligent enough to be able to pursue their respective courses and careers.” He looked into her still doubtful eyes and smiled. “They have both been accepted at different universities in America, Karin's going to be kicking ass' in her soccer school while Yuzu's going to humble the world with her incredible culinary skills.”

 

She started to open her mouth to speak but Ichigo cut her again.

 

“And my dad is transferring his practice there as well. He's already has his Visa and reciprocity license. He said that my sisters would need him more than I do here, much to Karins' dismay.” He added with a smirk

 

Rukia saw the fire and determination burning in his honey brown eyes and her worries eased a little. She knew he meant every word. She knew she could rely on him. She always had. And she also knew she always will.

 

“Don't worry” he said further “America is far enough for them to be bothered by your brother”

 

She closed her eyes and rubbed her face in his hands, loving the strength in those gentle yet calloused hands. Maybe things will really end differently this time.

 

She looked straight into his eyes and smiled. Yeah, definitely things will be different she said in her head. They were no longer the young impressionistic people that they were before. Two years apart has definitely made them stronger and determined. The agony of those years made them both tougher. Both of them never wanting to endure the loneliness and isolation of the past two years.

 

Rukia smiled serenely and nodded. Maybe he's right, they were going to get through this together. If Ichigo says he won't leave her, then she knows he really won't. It was this steadfastness, or maybe she should more aptly call it stubbornness, in Ichigo that has made him one of the strongest pillars in her life.

 

“Want me to do it?” he asked. If knocking and opening Byakuya's office door was that hard for her, he'd gladly do it for her. Not that he'd knock anyway, he'd most definitely just open the door and come in unannounced. Why give the bastard the satisfaction anyway?

 

“So you could just barge in and annoy my brother? Not a chance.” She said as she slapped his hands away from the knob. “I'll do it…properly”

 

Ichigo laughed and backed away from the door. She knows him so well.

 

With one deep breath, Rukia knocked twice and waited. Well, it is now or never she thought as she pushed open the heavy wooden door and stood in front of her brother. She could sense her brother's ire as his eyes found Ichigo. She tried to settle those little insects in her tummy and bowed down. “You wanted to see me nii-sama?”

 

Byakuya's hands had balled into fists under his table the moment he saw the brat enter his office, with his sisters' hand enclosed within the gaki's gruff ones. He was expecting it somehow. He had heard the surveillance report his men told him earlier from the time Rukia and the brat left her apartment until they entered the building. But hearing about it and seeing it with his own two eyes were entirely a different matter. And seeing the brat twice in less than 48 hours was really stretching his patience to the limit.

 

Byakuya sighed, this has to be done, he repeated in his head, and tried to calm his already weary heart and soul.

 

This was the deciding moment. How he would love to have him thrown out his office. But he knew he very well couldn't. But if he acknowledges his presence, or even allow him to stay, then it means that he does not have any problem with them being together from here on.

 

But then again, he has already decided. He may not like his decision personally, but it was what's best for his sister. After fighting off the urge to have Ichigo be forcefully assisted out of his office, Byakuya contented himself with ignoring him and addressing his sister solely.

 

“Have a seat Rukia” he said as he pointed to a chair. He did not even bother to ask the gaki to seat. Happy to see the ire light up the young brats face.

 

Ichigo knew the omission was intentional, but he stood his ground and stood beside Rukia. At least he wasn't being thrown out, he thought.

 

“Please sign these Rukia” Byakuya said as he thrust quite a number of files in front of her.

 

Rukia looked at her brother's unreadable face and looked at the papers given to her. One by one she opened the files and read them carefully. With shaking hands, she looked questioningly at her brother, not exactly knowing what all these meant. “What??? Why???” Everything was confusing her. She could feel Ichigo's warm hand holding her shoulders steady, giving her support and her hands unconsciously sought his. “These are…are papers…papers naming me the sole…sole owner of…of…Seretei Corp” She sought her brother's calm face, looking for any sign or a just a glimpse of the answer to the question running through her brain.

 

“Why?” she asked when she couldn't find anything in Byakuya's expression.

 

Byakuya contemplated before answering. How could he tell his one and only sister that he is dying? How could he tell the only person in his life that really mattered that he would be leaving her soon? That he wouldn't be there for her anymore? That how much either of them would want it, he wouldn't be able to help her or even just stand beside her in times of problems or troubles?

 

Byakuya held the armrest of his chair tightly. His hands wanted to clutch his chest, to the exact place where his heart was beating painfully. It felt as if a vise grip was seizing his heart with every beat it took. His hands were getting clammy and he could feel a burning pain at the back of his eyes. Truthfully, he felt weak. He just wanted to breakdown and hold his sister. There were so many things he wanted to tell her, teach her, give her. Yet he couldn't.

 

How does one tell goodbye to the person you love most in the world?

 

He didn't know that it would be this painful. His chest felt heavy. It was difficult to even breathe, as if air is being sucked out of his lungs. He wanted to weep the most, but then again, he wouldn't. it wasn't the way he wanted to handle this meeting.

 

Byakuya swallowed back a sob and took a deep breath. It has to be done, he told himself. And with another deep sigh he looked directly at Rukia

 

“It means exactly what it says. Once you have signed those papers, you will now be the owner and chief executive officer of Seretei Corp.” Byakuya wanted to continue talking, saying the lines that he had practiced again and again in his mind, but a lump has lodged itself in his throat, making his eyes water and his voice strained. And Rukia's velvety violet orbs, staring directly and questioningly at him has rendered him incapable of any coherent speech.

 

Byakuya swiveled his chair back, facing the bright city skyline scenery outside. His slightly shaking hands wiping two small pearl like tears that has somehow escaped his eyes. And with another shaky breath “You will then have full control of the whole company. Anything and everything will go through you. And your word will be law inside this office.”

 

Finding some semblance of control, his eyes now dried, he faced his sister once again “It is what I have always trained you to do, to become. The job along with all it's responsibility is now yours.”

 

“Why?” Rukia asked again. But the meaning behind her question is now different. She could see how painful and hard this whole ordeal was for her brother. And, oh god, were those tears she saw forming behind his eyes a minute ago.

 

“Nii-san, what's wrong?” Rukia asked imploringly. Although Byakuya's face is now wearing his usual unemotional mask, she could still see the hurt and the uncertainty behind her brother's eyes. “Nii-san, tell me…please” the hands that was holding on to Ichigo earlier was now finding it's way to grasp Byakuya's hand. Rukia knew it was an act that her brother would have had frowned upon before, but she doesn't care. Never, not even when their parents passed away had Byakuya acted like this. Which is why it is so much more alarming for Rukia. Something was definitely wrong.

 

Byakuya looked at her sister's delicate soft hands covering his and the pain and tightening in his chest kicked back in, now more forcefully than ever. With jelly like legs, he stood and crossed his desk and stood in front of his sister. He didn't know if she would welcome his actions, but there was nothing he wanted more at this time than to just hold her close. He pulled a stunned looking Rukia and enveloped her in a warm hug. Just the feel of her warm body was enough. And after a few seconds, Rukia's arms went around him and Byakuya could have really wept at the intensity of emotions running through him. It had been so damn long since he was able to hold his sister like this. And it felt so right.

 

“ You are the only able successor to inherit all these. And the most capable one to handle this company. And you are my one and only sister, there is nothing of mine that is not yours too.” He whispered in her ear. He kissed the top of her head and immediately let go. He needs distance from now on.

 

After sitting back in his chair “sign them now so I may give then to our lawyers for filing.” Hearing no protest from Rukia “Starting tomorrow, you will accompany me at every meeting and every contract signing, where you would be introduced to our clients, investors and other members of the board as the new CEO. We will do this for two weeks straight. Also it would be easier that way so that I can personally teach you everything that you need to know about the company. It'll ease your transition into the position.”

 

“No, I won't” Rukia just couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. “Either you tell me what the hell is going on, or I won't sign at all.”

 

Byakuya saw the spark of stubbornness in Rukia's eyes and he almost smiled. A Kuchiki through and through, that is Rukia, she just doesn't know it yet.

 

Oh yes, how many times have he himself used their steely eyes to cut a person up with just a glare, or used that bold chin in a slightly jutted angle to give off the impression of haughty indulgence? And also that same resolve that could be heard in her voice. It was as if he was seeing his younger self through Rukia.

 

A strange warm and profound feeling struck his heart. For years he had watched over Rukia and was disappointed to see that she did not take up the proud Kuchiki demeanor? Because of this, he had always thought himself a failure, for not even influencing her sister. But now, all he could see in her posture was the proud and regal Kuchiki composure.

 

He didn't fail, somehow after all his wrongdoings and sins, he had finally made one thing right.

 

 

Rukia saw the look of contentment pass his brothers eyes and was now more baffled than ever. “ Please nii-sama, tell, what is going on?” she asked while her hand held his.

 

“Rukia, do you trust me?”

 

Rukia looked into his brothers solemn eyes, and knew the answer even without thinking about it. Yes she does, noe matter what had happened in the past, she knew that she could always put her trust upon her brother. She looked at the pen Byukuya had thrust out to her, and after a futile searing look at his brother, she signed had the papers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/N

Hi guys! So how was it? Please forgive me for any grammatical or typo errors, again, as is my nature, I posted this one straight off as soon as I hit the last period on the last sentence, hot off the grill. So yeah, didn't have the time to edit this, specially the latter parts.

Ad, GOMEN!!!! Really sorry for taking too long to update. I know, most of you surely have forgotten this fic. But I do hope that this chap could refresh your memory.

Anyway, tell me what you think guys. I know that in some parts of the chap, byakuya may have seem, too soft? OOC? I guess I have always believed that byakuya loves his sister dearly, and just doesn't know how to express it, so him dying and all might have spurred him to be a little un byaku like.

So, please, please leave a review guys, please! I implore you, please leave a review.